The agriculture sector is an important source of employment in regional and rural Australia. The number of people employed in agriculture and related services decreased slightly in 2004 to 345,700 persons, following a significant drop in 2003 (table 14.5). The significant reduction in 2003 was largely the result of the drought experienced over most of Australia during that period, which severely affected the agriculture sector. The majority of persons employed in agriculture in 2004 were male (69%).

14.5 EMPLOYED PERSONS(a) IN AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SERVICES TO AGRICULTURE(b)

Males

Females

Persons

'000

'000

'000

1998

277.3

126.4

403.7

1999

267.8

125.8

393.6

2000

284.8

130.8

415.6

2001

269.0

132.4

401.4

2002

278.6

133.6

412.2

2003

239.8

110.0

349.8

2004

236.5

109.2

345.7

(a) The estimates of employed persons include persons who worked without pay for at least one hour per week in a family business or on a farm (i.e. unpaid family helpers). Persons who worked in another industry and in agriculture are classified to the industry of predominant activity.(b) Annual average of quarterly data.

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